Angul, Feb 8: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday paid rich tribute to Pabitra Mohan Pradhan, the legendary Odia freedom fighter and leader of the Praja Mandal movement, on the occasion of his 118th birth anniversary.  Addressing a gathering at Pabitranagar under Pallalahara constituency, Minister Pradhan described the freedom fighter as “an institution who gave voice to the oppressed and laid the foundation for social change.”

ପାଲଲହଡ଼ା ନିର୍ବାଚନମଣ୍ଡଳୀ ପବିତ୍ରନଗର ଠାରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ମାନ୍ୟବର ରାଜ୍ୟପାଳ @DrHariBabuK , ସାଂସଦ ଓ ବିଧାୟକଙ୍କ ସହ ପ୍ରଜାମଣ୍ଡଳ ଆନ୍ଦୋଳନର ମହାନାୟକ “ ଶହୀଦ ପବିତ୍ର ମୋହନ ପ୍ରଧାନଙ୍କ ୧୧୮ତମ ଜୟନ୍ତୀ ସମାରୋହ”ରେ ଯୋଗଦେଲି । ପବିତ୍ର ମୋହନ ପ୍ରଧାନ କେବଳ ଜଣେ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ନଥିଲେ, ସେ ଥିଲେ ଏକ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠାନ । ପ୍ରଜାମାନଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ହେଉଥିବା… pic.twitter.com/e6SEGccDpT

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) February 8, 2026

 

The commemoration, attended by Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, MPs, and MLAs, was marked by both tributes and development announcements. The Governor inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for projects worth over Rs 170 crore, including a Community Health Centre at Khama valued at Rs11 crore and new Primary Health Centres at Pabitranagar and Bari. Minister Pradhan said these initiatives represented the “truest tribute” to Pabitra Mohan Pradhan’s legacy, as they would transform healthcare access in the region.

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Highlighting the freedom fighter’s belief that “education is the path to liberation,” the Union Minister linked his vision to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s National Education Policy. He urged students to embrace knowledge and innovation in the age of Artificial Intelligence, aspiring not only to learn but also to become “wealth creators.” He emphasized that progress in education, agriculture, and livelihoods in Pallalahara and Talcher subdivisions was a shared responsibility.

ବିଶିଷ୍ଟ ଜନନାୟକ ତଥା ସ୍ଵାଧୀନତା ସଂଗ୍ରାମୀ ପବିତ୍ର ମୋହନ ପ୍ରଧାନଙ୍କ ଜୟନ୍ତୀ ଅବସରରେ ପାଲଲହଡ଼ା ନିର୍ବାଚନମଣ୍ଡଳୀର ପବିତ୍ର ନଗର ଠାରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ମାନ୍ୟବର ରାଜ୍ୟପାଳ @DrHariBabuK ଙ୍କ ସହ ତାଙ୍କର ଏକ ଭବ୍ୟ ପ୍ରତିମୂର୍ତ୍ତି ଏବଂ ‘ସ୍ମୃତିପୀଠ’ ଉନ୍ମୋଚନ କରିବାର ସୌଭାଗ୍ୟ ଲାଭ କଲି । ତାଙ୍କର ଏହି ପ୍ରତିମୂର୍ତ୍ତି ଓ ସ୍ମୃତିପୀଠ ଆଗାମୀ… pic.twitter.com/9SImRSYHix

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) February 8, 2026

 

Earlier, Union Education Minister Pradhan, along with the Odisha Governor, unveiled a grand statue and memorial site dedicated to freedom fighter Pabitra Mohan Pradhan at Pabitranagar.

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Speaking at the event, Pradhan said the statue and ‘Smritipith’ would serve as a shining symbol of sacrifice and service for future generations. He emphasized that Pabitra Mohan Pradhan was not only a leader of the people but also an enduring institution whose life and ideals continue to inspire Odisha and the nation.

Know More About Pabitra Mohan Pradhan

Pabitra Mohan Pradhan was a prominent Odia freedom fighter, politician, and leader of the Praja Mandal movement, which mobilized people against feudal oppression and colonial rule. His commitment to education and social justice shaped Odisha’s political and social landscape. He served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha from 1967 to 1970, leaving a lasting legacy of leadership and reform. His vision of education as the cornerstone of liberation continues to inspire generations.